Cracked Diff Housing Opinons...

[elks]

1997 Z71 1500 with the 5.7 and 4x4. Front diff took a rock. The housing is cracked at the lower front bolt that goes in from passenger side to drivers side. The bolt goes through a plate then ties both side of housing together. The crack is about 3/4 inch and circular around the bolt hole.

Everything else lines up good. It is on my buddies truck. For now we drained it, cleaned it, and packed with RTV to prevent it from leaking.

Does it need to be replaced? He has insurance and full coverage would replace it for $300.00. Or could we maybe weld the small crack? The RTV is temporary fix. It is a daily driver and as such he wants to fix it right.

Is the housing on the truck aluminum? I can't remember off hand we did a road side fix to seal it.

What do you think?

 

[sweetk30]

you will be best to remove it and have a good qualified welder look at it and prep it as they request . then let them tig weld it up NOT A SPOOL GUN weld job .

or if in time hurry find a good used diff with the same ratio and bolt it in and go .

 

[miniwally]

1997 Z71 1500 with the 5.7 and 4x4. Front diff took a rock. The housing is cracked at the lower front bolt that goes in from passenger side to drivers side. The bolt goes through a plate then ties both side of housing together. The crack is about 3/4 inch and circular around the bolt hole.

Everything else lines up good. It is on my buddies truck. For now we drained it, cleaned it, and packed with RTV to prevent it from leaking.

Does it need to be replaced? He has insurance and full coverage would replace it for $300.00. Or could we maybe weld the small crack? The RTV is temporary fix. It is a daily driver and as such he wants to fix it right.

Is the housing on the truck aluminum? I can't remember off hand we did a road side fix to seal it.

What do you think?

you will be best to remove it and have a good qualified welder look at it and prep it as they request . then let them tig weld it up NOT A SPOOL GUN weld job .

or if in time hurry find a good used diff with the same ratio and bolt it in and go .

Yup

Many moons ago my dad had a s-15 that got a broken front diff, and we had it welded up, lasted for years.

I say get it out and have it looked at and welded up.